Fisheries dept disconcerts Jain minister in Karnataka

Karnataka minister Abhay Chandra Jain on Monday found himself in a piquant situation after chief minister Siddaramaiah refused to yield to his demand that he be given a portfolio other than fisheries as it was against the principles of Jainism.

Karnataka minister Abhay Chandra Jain on Monday found himself in a piquant situation after chief minister Siddaramaiah refused to yield to his demand that he be given a portfolio other than fisheries as it was against the principles of Jainism.

"The chief minister refused to accept my demand and told me that there is a huge potential in the ministry and I could do better work since I hailed from the coastal belt. Hence, I have decided to continue as fisheries minister," he told reporters here.

The minister, who is a vegetarian and a Jain by religion, has been airing his dissatisfaction of holding fisheries portfolio.

Jain had said earlier that he wants to relinquish fisheries portfolio as there was a strong backlash from his community.

Jain is, however, happy with his additional portfolio of Youth Services. He said that his father was a tennis champion at Banaras Hindu University before independence.